Michaela Lewis, prosecuting, told the court how the manager of the Orange retail store in Eastgate Street, Chester, saw Ecker enter the premises on Sunday, January 16.

He and an unnamed female wandered to the rear of the shop, where there was a blue UNICEF charity box containing cash.

Ecker was seen to pull the box from the wall before concealing it under his jacket and leaving the shop.

Staff contacted the police who were able to identify Ecker from footage from a security camera.

Ms Lewis told the court that Orange staff estimated the charity box contained between £15 and £20. However, she explained that in an interview, Ecker had told police that the box only contained £4.

Ms Lewis also said Ecker had been given a 12-month conditional discharge for an offence he committed on July 27, 2004.

The court heard how he had stolen sporting goods to the value of £114 from the Sports Soccer store in Frodsham Street, Chester, and was aware that he was in breach of the conditions of his discharge for that offence.

Brian Treadwell, defending, said Ecker had been drinking in Chester city centre throughout the day and was drunk at the time of the Orange store incident.

He said: 'This offence was not thought out by the defendant, and he is extremely embarrassed and ashamed.'

Mr Treadwell said Ecker had shown remorse and had pleaded guilty at the first possible opportunity.

He also asked magistrates to take into account Ecker's previous problems with substance abuse. 'Drugs presented a problem historically, but no longer,' he added.

However, Mr Treadwell admitted that Ecker was a heavy consumer of alcohol.

He asked magistrates to be mindful that it had been six months since Ecker had last appeared before the court and asked for his co-operation with the police and his early guilty plea to be taken into account.

Chairman of the bench, Diane Smith, requested a pre-sentence report from the probation service which raised concerns about Ecker's 'chaotic lifestyle' and his problems with alcohol and drugs.

However, Mrs Smith emphasised the gravity with which the court viewed the offence.

She said: 'This is a particularly nasty theft which will be dealt with most seriously.'

The case was adjourned until February 18 for a pre-sentence report. Ecker was released on conditional bail.